Portfolio’s Jeff Bercovici has the pre-publication quotes in which Murdoch praises FNC as, “a core asset in every sense,” and talks about the fairness of the network.

“In terms of its popularity and of its profit. But the thing that I am proudest of is that it is very, very fair,” says Murdoch. “What people don’t like is Bill O’Reilly, for instance, because they think he imposes his views. But he has people on from both sides.”

He also takes a shot at MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann (WPITW tonight?):

Keith Olbermann is trying to make a business out of destroying Bill O’Reilly. He’s done certain things to Bill O’Reilly that I believe were way over the line. I think that’s bad behavior. But it’s okay for him to criticize Bill. And Bill shouldn’t be so sensitive. He should ignore that.